Guiding structure of a treadmill for guiding electrostatic charges of a human body

ABSTRACT

A guiding structure of a treadmill for guiding electrostatic charges of a human body is disposed between a treadmill base and the human body to connect the human body to the treadmill base continuously. Thus, potentials between the human body and the treadmill base may be kept in a substantially balanced state, and it is possible to prevent a high-potential one of the human body and the treadmill base to instantaneously discharge the electrostatic charges to a low-potential one. Thus, the user can use the treadmill in a relieved manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The invention relates in general to a guiding structure of a treadmill for guiding electrostatic charges of a human body, and more particularly to a guiding structure, which is disposed between a human body and a treadmill base to continuously connect the human body to the treadmill base such that the potential of the exercising human body on the treadmill and that of the treadmill base may be kept in a substantially balanced state. Thus, it is possible to prevent the phenomenon of discharging electrostatic charges from a high-potential one of the human body and the treadmill base to a low-potential one when the human body touches the treadmill base.

(2) Description of the Prior Art

A treadmill is the most frequently used tool when a person is doing the jogging exercise indoors. When the person is doing the jogging exercise on the treadmill, the potential difference between the human body and the treadmill is increased due to the friction between the jogging shoes and the jogging belt, the friction between the jogging belt and the transmission wheel or the friction between the clothes. If the human body unintentionally touches the treadmill base, the phenomenon of discharging electrostatic charges from a high-potential one of the human body and the treadmill base to a low-potential one when the human body touches the treadmill base tends to occur such that the person may feel pain in this state. So, a lot of treadmill manufacturers have done a lot of researches and developments on the treadmill structure to improve this phenomenon in order to eliminate the occurrence of the state. However, the current treadmill capable of preventing the electrostatic discharge only includes an insulating structure on the jogging base or handles to insulate the human body from the frequently touched portion of the treadmill base. According to the structure, the phenomenon, of the potential increase caused by the friction between the exercising human body and the jogging belt still cannot be prevented. In addition, most of the well conductive portions of the base are still exposed, so the phenomenon of instantaneously discharging the electrostatic charges from the high-potential one of the human body and the treadmill to the low-potential one still frequently occurs, which is the existing imperfect feature of the treadmill for a long time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the treadmill on the human body, it is therefore an object of the invention to provide a guiding structure for guiding electrostatic charges between the treadmill and the human body according to the advanced research and development. In one main object of the invention, using this invention can enable the potentials of the human body and the treadmill to be kept in a substantially balanced state in order to prevent the phenomenon of the too-large potential difference between the human body and the treadmill base when the human body is exercising on the treadmill. According to this object, the invention can get rid of the phenomenon of discharging the electrostatic charges from a high-potential one of the human body and the treadmill base to a low-potential one when the human body touches the treadmill such that the user can use the treadmill in a relieved manner. Furthermore, a secondary object of the invention is to enable the guiding structure of the invention to be removed momentarily and easily when the guiding structure of the invention is continuously coupled to the human body. According to the secondary object, the invention can prevent the danger of incapability of leaving the treadmill when the human body unintentionally falls on the treadmill. Also, when the guiding structure of the invention is being removed, the control circuit of the treadmill may be powered off, which is still another object of the invention. According to this object, the invention can stop the driving motor of the jogging belt to prevent the danger when an accident occurs.

To achieve the above-mentioned objects, the invention provides a conductor for continuously connecting a base of a treadmill to a human body in order to balance the potentials of the human body and the treadmill base.

In detail, the conductor is fixed to and electrically connected to the base of the treadmill. The conductor may be removably connected to a fastener of a wear worn on the human body.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned structure can be implemented by another extended manner, in which the base of the treadmill is fixedly connected to a connection terminal, one end of the conductor is formed with a movable member such that the movable member is removably connected to the connection terminal, and the other end of the conductor is connected to a wear worn on the human body.

Also, the above-mentioned structure can be implemented by still another extended manner, in which the base of the treadmill is fixedly connected to a connection terminal, one end of the conductor is formed with a movable member such that the movable member is removably connected to the connection terminal and the other end of the conductor is formed with an engaging member, which engages with a fastener of a wear worn on the human body.

Also, the above-mentioned structure can be implemented by yet still another extended manner, in which the base of the treadmill is fixedly connected to a conductor, a connector is disposed at an end portion of the conductor, another conductor is connected to a wear worn on the human body, and a connection assembly removably connected to the connector is disposed at an end portion of the another conductor.

According to the above-mentioned structure, an extended switch terminal may be connected to the control circuit of the treadmill and to the engaging member, one side of the connection terminal or the connector. A conjunction terminal is disposed on the fastener, the movable member or the connection assembly such that the switch terminal may also be connected to the conjunction terminal and the driving motor of the jogging belt rotates normally when the treadmill is connected to the human body for electrostatic discharge. On the contrary, the switch terminal is disconnected from the conjunction terminal. Consequently, the driving motor of the jogging belt stops to prevent danger when an accident occurs.

Consequently, when the human body is doing the jogging exercise on the treadmill, the potentials of the human body and the treadmill base are continuously kept in the substantially balanced state according to the above-mentioned structure. Thus, the phenomenon of discharging electrostatic charges from a high-potential one of the human body and the treadmill base to a low-potential one when the human body touches the treadmill base can be avoided, and the user can use the treadmill in a relieved manner.

Further aspects, objects, and desirable features of the invention will be better understood from the detailed description and drawings that follow in which various embodiments of the disclosed invention are illustrated by way of examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1A is an enlarged drawing of area 1A in FIG. 1

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional drawing of area 1B in FIG. 1

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2C is an enlarged drawing of area 2C in FIG. 2

FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional drawing of area 2D in FIG. 2

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4E is an enlarged drawing of area 4E in FIG. 4

FIG. 4F is an enlarged drawing of area 4F in FIG. 4

FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5G is a cross-sectional drawing of area 5G in FIG. 5

FIG. 5H is an enlarged drawing of area 5H in FIG. 5

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 1A and 1B, a conductor (12) is fixedly connected to a base (11) of a treadmill (1), and the conductor (12) has a removable engaging member (13), which may be connected to a fastener (141) of a wear (14) worn on a human body (2). The conductor (12) has one end fixedly connected to the base (11) and the other end fixedly connected to the engaging member (13). A magnetic element (131) is disposed in the engaging member (13) such that the magnetic element (131) may be attracted to the fastener (141) when the engaging member (13) is connected to the fastener (141).

Furthermore, in order to exert the effect of the invention, the above-mentioned structure may be achieved by another extended manner. As shown in FIGS. 2, 2C and 2D, a connection terminal (32) is fixedly connected to a base (31) of a treadmill (3). A conductor (33) has one end provided with a movable member (34), which is removably connected to the connection terminal (32), and the other end fixedly connected to a wear (35) worn on the human body (2). A guiding terminal (341) connected to the conductor (33) is disposed in the movable member (34), which is additionally adapted to the arrangement of a magnetic element (342) aside the guiding terminal (341), so that the magnetic element (342) can attract the connection terminal (32) to enable the guiding terminal (341) to contact the connection terminal (32) when the movable member (34) is connected to the connection terminal (32). The other end of the conductor (33) is fixedly connected to a touch plate (351) of the wear (35), wherein the touch plate (351) contacts the human body (2). Also, in this embodiment, the end of the conductor (33) adapted to the connection to the human body may also be connected to a conductive clip (36), which clips the typical clothes worn on the human body, as shown in FIG. 3.

Also, the above-mentioned structure may be achieved by still another extended manner. As shown in FIGS. 4, 4E and 4F, a connection terminal (42) is fixedly connected to a base (41) at a front end of a treadmill (4), a movable member (44) is disposed at one end of a conductor (43) such that the movable member (44) is removably connected to the connection terminal (42), and an engaging member (45) is disposed at the other end of the conductor (43). The engaging member (45) engages with a conductive fastener (461) of a wear (46) worn on the human body (2). The one end of the conductor (43) is connected to a guiding terminal (441) of the movable member (44), and the movable member (44) is adapted to the arrangement of a magnetic element (442) aside the guiding terminal (441) such that the magnetic element (442) can attract the connection terminal (42) to enable the guiding terminal (441) to contact the connection terminal (42) when the movable member (44) is connected to the connection terminal (42). The other end of the conductor (43) is fixedly connected to the engaging member (45), which may engage with a fastener (461) of the wear (46). A magnetic element (451) may also be disposed in the engaging member (45) such that the magnetic element (451) may attract the fastener (461) when the engaging member (45) is connected to the fastener (461).

Also, the above-mentioned structure may be achieved by yet still another extended manner. As shown in FIGS. 5, 5G and 5H, a conductor (52) is fixedly connected to a base (51) of a treadmill (5), and a connector (53) is disposed at an end portion of the conductor (52). In addition, a conductor (55) is connected to a wear (54) worn on the human body (2) to contact the human body (2), and a connection assembly (56) removably connected to the connector (53) is disposed at an end portion of the conductor (55). A magnetic element (531) is disposed in the connector (53) such that the connection assembly (56) can be attracted to the magnetic element (531) when the connector (53) is connected to the connection assembly (56).

In addition, it is also possible to extend a switch terminal (15), (37), (47) or (57) from the power line A on the control circuit of the treadmill (1), (3), (4) or (5) to the engaging member (13), to one side of the connection terminal (32) or (42), or to the connector (53). The switch terminal (15), (37), (47) or (57) is not electrically connected to the engaging member (13), the connection terminal (32) or (42), or the connector (53). A conjunction terminal (16), (38), (48) or (58), which is not electrically connected to the fastener (141), the movable member (34) or (44) or the connection assembly (56) is disposed at a corresponding position on the fastener (141), the movable member (34) or (44), or the connection assembly (56). Thus, when the electrostatic charges are discharged from a high-potential one of the human body and the treadmill base to a low-potential one of the human body and the treadmill, the switch terminal (15), (37), (47) or (57) can power on the control circuit due to the connection of the conjunction terminal (16), (38), (48) or (58), and the driving motor of the jogging belt can operate normally. On the contrary, the control circuit is power off, and the driving motor of the jogging belt stops rotating.

As shown in the above-mentioned structures of the embodiments, the invention mainly utilizes the conductor (12), (33), (43), (52) or (55) to connect the treadmill (1), (3), (4) or (5) to the human body (2). So, the scope of the invention is defined under such a connection mode. Using the structure can continuously couple the potential of the human body to the potential of the treadmill such that the potentials of the human body and the base are kept in a substantially balanced state. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the phenomenon of discharging electrostatic charges from a high-potential one of the human body and the treadmill base to a low-potential one when the human body touches the treadmill base, and the user can use the treadmill in a relieved manner.

New characteristics and advantages of the invention covered by this document have been set forth in the foregoing description. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. Changes in methods, shapes, structures or devices may be made in details without exceeding the scope of the invention by those who are skilled in the art. The scope of the invention is, of course, defined in the language in which the appended claims are expressed. 

1. A guiding structure of a treadmill for guiding electrostatic charges of a human body, the guiding structure comprising: a conductor connected between a base of the treadmill and the human body to keep potentials of the base of the treadmill and the human body in a substantially balanced state.
 2. The guiding structure according to claim 1, wherein the conductor is removably connected between the base and the human body.
 3. The guiding structure according to claim 2, wherein the conductor comprises a separatable part, on which a switch extending from and connected to a control circuit is disposed, and the separatable part of the conductor controls the switch to power on or off the control circuit.
 4. The guiding structure according to claim 3, wherein the conductor has one end removably connected to the base and the other end connected to a wear worn on the human body.
 5. The guiding structure according to claim 4, wherein the base is connected to a connection terminal, a movable member is disposed at the one end of the conductor, a guiding terminal connected to the conductor is disposed in the movable member, and the guiding terminal touches the connection terminal for connection when the movable member is placed on the connection terminal.
 6. The guiding structure according to claim 5, wherein the movable member is adapted to an arrangement of a magnetic element on a side of the guiding terminal, such that the movable member can be attracted to and positioned on the connection terminal to make the guiding terminal and the connection terminal touch each other firmly for connection when the movable member is placed at a position of the connection terminal.
 7. The guiding structure according to claim 6, wherein a switch terminal extending from and connected to the control circuit is disposed on one side of the connection terminal, and a corresponding conjunction terminal is disposed on the movable member.
 8. The guiding structure according to claim 4, wherein the wear has a touch plate in contact with the human body, and the conductor is connected to the touch plate.
 9. The guiding structure according to claim 3, wherein the conductor has one end fixedly connected to the base and the other end removably connected to a wear worn on the human body.
 10. The guiding structure according to claim 9, wherein an end portion of the conductor is connected to an engaging member, a switch terminal extending from and connected to the control circuit is disposed on the engaging member, the wear has a fastener corresponding to the engaging member, and the fastener correspondingly has a conjunction terminal.
 11. The guiding structure according to claim 10, wherein a magnetic element is disposed at one side of the engaging member such that the engaging member can be attracted to and positioned on the fastener to make the engaging member contact the fastener firmly for connection when the engaging member is placed at a position of the fastener.
 12. The guiding structure according to claim 2, wherein the conductor has one end fixedly connected to the base and the other end connected to a conductive clip, which clips clothes worn on the human body.
 13. The guiding structure according to claim 3, wherein the conductor has one end removably connected to the base and the other end connected to a conductive clip, which clips clothes worn on the human body.
 14. The guiding structure according to claim 13, wherein the base is connected to a connection terminal, a movable member is disposed at the one end of the conductor, a guiding terminal connected to the conductor is disposed in the movable member, and the guiding terminal touches the connection terminal for connection when the movable member is placed on the connection terminal.
 15. The guiding structure according to claim 14, wherein a switch terminal extending from and connected to the control circuit is disposed on one side of the connection terminal, and a corresponding conjunction terminal is disposed on the movable member.
 16. The guiding structure according to claim 3, wherein the conductor has one end removably connected to the base and the other end removably connected to a wear worn on the human body.
 17. The guiding structure according to claim 16, wherein the base is connected to a connection terminal, a switch terminal extending from and connected to the control circuit is disposed at a side of the connection terminal, a movable member is disposed at the one end of the conductor, a conjunction terminal corresponding to the switch terminal is correspondingly disposed on the movable member, a guiding terminal connected to the conductor is disposed in the movable member, the guiding terminal touches the connection terminal for connection when the movable member is disposed on the connection terminal, the other end of the conductor is connected to an engaging member, and the wear has a fastener corresponding to the engaging member.
 18. The guiding structure according to claim 17, wherein the movable member is adapted to an arrangement of a magnetic element on a side of the guiding terminal, such that the movable member can be attracted to and positioned on the connection terminal to make the guiding terminal and the connection terminal touch each other firmly for connection when the movable member is placed at a position of the connection terminal.
 19. The guiding structure according to claim 18, wherein a magnetic element is disposed at one side of the engaging member such that the engaging member can be attracted to and positioned on the fastener to make the engaging member contact the fastener firmly for connection when the engaging member is placed at a position of the fastener.
 20. The guiding structure according to claim 3, wherein the base of the treadmill is fixedly connected to the conductor, which is defined as a first conductor, a connector is disposed on an end portion of the conductor, a switch terminal extending from and connected to the control circuit is disposed on the connector, a second conductor is connected to a wear worn on the human body, an connection assembly removably connected to the connector is disposed on an end portion of the second conductor, and a conjunction terminal corresponding to the switch terminal is correspondingly disposed on the connection assembly.
 21. The guiding structure according to claim 20, wherein a magnetic element is disposed in the connector such that the magnetic element can attract the connection assembly when the connector is connected to the connection assembly. 